Portable theatrical apparatus



(No Model.)

0. D. KELLOGG. PORTABLE THEATRIGAL APPARATUS.

M I m/ m. A w m h m F N n Wm Attorriev'.

llnirnn STATES PORTABLE TH EATRICAL APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 580,405, dated April 13, 1897. Application filed October 31, 1896. Serial No. 610,668. (No model.)

To otZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES D. KELLOGG, of the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Portable Theatrical Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to portable theatrical apparatus; and it consists of the improvements which are fully described in the following specification and are shown in the accompanying drawings.

In many theatrical performances the performer acts in a darkened theater in light projected upward from the stage. These rays of light being projected directly upward are lost in the flies and do not light up the theater so that a very effective result is produced, the actor or performer appearing enveloped in light while the theater and all surroundings are buried in darkness. Such performances cannot, however, with present means be given except on a properly-constructed stage with flies and curtains; and it is the object of my invention to provide a simple portable apparatus, which maybe readily set up in any lecture-room or concert-hall, that will enable such performances to be given as efiectively as in a fully-equipped theater.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved portable theatrical apparatus. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same on a reduced scale. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the platform, and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the same onthe line 00 as of Fig. 3.

A is a portable platform of sufficient size to permit the performer to carry out his performance and provided in the top with'one or more openings at, which may be covered with glass. Located within the platform'below the openings at are lights B, adapted to throw rays of light upward upon the performer standing on the platform. Suitable means are provided for turning the light on or off or for changing the color of the rays. For this purpose I have provided a movable screen (shown as a rotary disk 0) having a series of apertures 0, so arranged that by turning the disk any one of the apertures may be brought over the light and in line with the opening a in the platform. By providing the apertures c with glasses of different colors the colors of the projected rays may be changed, or by bringing an opaque space between the light and opening a the rays may be excluded.

The disk 0 may be rotated in any suitable manner, as by a bevel-gear D on the shaft (Z of the disk operated by a bevel-gear E on an operating-shaft e, which may be turned in any suitable manner.

In mypreferred construction I employ two rotary disks, the second disk 0 being geared with the disk 0 and driven by it. A second light B is located below a second aperture a in the platform, and the two disks 0 and O operate together to throw two rays of light upon the performer. Other means may be employed for controlling the projection of the rays of light.

It is essential to the success of performances such as are intended to be given in a darkened room that the light which illuminates the performer shall not be disseminated through the room. To accomplish this end, I arrange over the platform A a canopy or screen F, of black or dark cloth, which intercepts and arrest-s the upwardly projected rays, and thus prevents their dissemination through the room. The canopy or screen F is portable. I have shown it carried by posts G, which may be held upright in any suitable manner, as by the supporting-cords II. The canopy is preferably provided with a short valance f at the front.

If desired, the back and sides of the canopy may be provided with curtains, but these are not essential where the rays are projected upward.

The details of construction shown may be varied without departing from the invention.

What I claimas new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. A portable theatrical apparatus consisting of a portable platform provided with lights adapted to be projected upward upon the performer standing on the platform, and a portable screen of dark material located above and extending over the platform to intercept and absorb the upwardly-projected rays.

2. A portable theatrical apparatus consisting of a portable platform provided with lights adapted to be projected upward upon the performer standing on the platform, and aportable screen of dark material located above and extending over the platform and provided with a short valance f at the front to intercept and absorb the upwardly-projected rays.

'3. A portable theatrical apparatus, consisting of a portable platform provided with an aperture in the top, a light located within the platform below the aperture, and a portable screen of dark material extending at an elevation over the platform to intercept and absorb the projected rays.

4:. In a portable theatrical apparatus, the combination of a portable platform having an aperture in the top, a light within the platform below the aperture, a movable screen located between thelight and aperture in the platform, means for operating the screen from the exterior of the platform, and a portable screen of dark material extending at an elevation over the platform to intercept the projected rays.

5. In a portable theatrical apparatus, the combination of a portable platform having an aperture in the top, a light Within the platform below the aperture, a movable screen located between the light and aperture in the platform and provided with a series of apertures any one of which may be brought between the aperture in the platform and the light, means for operating the screen from the exterior of the platform, and a portable screen of dark material extending at an elevation over the platform to intercept the projected rays.

6. In a portable theatrical apparatus, the portable platform provided with two apertures, as a a in the top, a portable canopy of dark material located above and extending over the platform, rotary disks geared together and located within the platform and each provided with a series of apertures any one of which may be brought below the corresponding aperture in the platform, lights within the platform below the rotary disks and in line with the apertures in the top of the platform, and means for turning the two disks together from the outside of the platform.

7. In a portable theatrical apparatus, the combination of a small portable platform A having an aperture in its top and provided with a light below the aperture, and .a portable canopy F carried by supports G and extending over the platform A, so as to intercept the upwardly-projected rays of light and prevent their dissemination through the apartment.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

CHARLES D. KELLOGG.

WVitnesses:

J. E. JoHNsoN, J. D. GODFREY. 

